Nicola D'AVanzo

The topical delivery of Ketoprofen (Ket) has some limitations depending on its poor water solubility, low skin permeability, and related side effects. In this study, a novel hybrid patch was developed by embedding Ket-loaded lipid nanovesicles (NVs) within electrospun polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers. The resulting dry patch (Ket-HP) was designed to enhance percutaneous Ket permeation, improve its effectiveness and patient compliance. NVs had a mean size of approximately 95 nm and a narrow size distribution (PDI<0.1), endorsing suitable features for topical application. Electrospinning was used to obtain a homogeneous dispersion of drug-loaded NVs within polymeric nanofibers. Morphological and spectroscopic analyses endorsed the successful integration of drug-loaded NVs and their homogeneous distribution in the Ket-HP. The NVs supramolecular integrity, after electrospinning process, was confirmed by cryo-TEM analysis. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained and controlled release of Ket from the Ket-HP over 48 h, outperforming both Ket-loaded NVs and PEO-based patches containing free drug (Ket-P). In vitro permeation studies through human stratum corneum epidermidis demonstrated that the Ket-HP improved the Ket permeation of 10- to 30-fold than conventional Ket-gel. In vivo tolerability tests on healthy volunteers showed safe profile of Ket-HP and higher anti-inflammatory effectiveness than conventional Ket-gel dosage. The hygroscopic property of Ket-HP allowed its rapid conversion in gel-like structure upon the contact with moist skin, improving the application on difficult anatomical sites. The resulting Ket-HP combines the advantages of NVs and electrospinning and could represent a promising patient-oriented platform for the topical treatment of inflammation disease.

The topical delivery of Ketoprofen (Ket) has some limitations depending on its poor water solubility, low skin permeability, and related side effects. In this study, a novel hybrid patch was developed by embedding Ket-loaded lipid nanovesicles (NVs) within electrospun polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers. The resulting dry patch (Ket-HP) was designed to enhance percutaneous Ket permeation, improve its effectiveness and patient compliance. NVs had a mean size of approximately 95 nm and a narrow size distribution (PDI<0.1), endorsing suitable features for topical application. Electrospinning was used to obtain a homogeneous dispersion of drug-loaded NVs within polymeric nanofibers. Morphological and spectroscopic analyses endorsed the successful integration of drug-loaded NVs and their homogeneous distribution in the Ket-HP. The NVs supramolecular integrity, after electrospinning process, was confirmed by cryo-TEM analysis. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained and controlled release of Ket from the Ket-HP over 48 h, outperforming both Ket-loaded NVs and PEO-based patches containing free drug (Ket-P). In vitro permeation studies through human stratum corneum epidermidis demonstrated that the Ket-HP improved the Ket permeation of 10- to 30-fold than conventional Ket-gel. In vivo tolerability tests on healthy volunteers showed safe profile of Ket-HP and higher anti-inflammatory effectiveness than conventional Ket-gel dosage. The hygroscopic property of Ket-HP allowed its rapid conversion in gel-like structure upon the contact with moist skin, improving the application on difficult anatomical sites. The resulting Ket-HP combines the advantages of NVs and electrospinning and could represent a promising patient-oriented platform for the topical treatment of inflammation disease.

The physiological age‐related decline in skeletal muscle mass, power, and function is challenging for humans. Skeletal muscle has been recently recognized as a secretory organ, with human myogenic progenitor cells (hMPCs) releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs). Here, we investigate the role of hMPC‐derived EVs as mediators in skeletal muscle aging. This heterologous approach enables the analysis of age‐related variations in EV burden and their impact on human muscle stem cell function. Therefore, we isolated EVs from hMPCs obtained from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of young and elderly subjects. Then, we characterized EVs for specific marker, size, and concentration and analyzed their miRNA expression and proteomic profiles to delineate the bioactive cargo that influences recipient cell signaling. Next, we tested the ability of EVs to modulate on hMPCs. Specifically, we treated elderly hMPCs with young EVs and vice versa to analyze viability and differentiation. Our results demonstrate that EVs released by young hMPCs carry regenerative signals that mitigate the functional decline of aged muscle stem cells. Conversely, the EVs derived from elderly hMPCs compromise the regenerative capacity of their younger counterparts. Therefore, these results suggest that hMPCs release EVs and that their cargo is modulated by donor age. Moreover, the EVs significantly modulated hMPCs’ viability and differentiation in cell culture.

Skin compatibility is a common issue and can often be worsened by certain ingredients in cosmetics. This is why developing well-balanced and -tolerated formulas is now an essential challenge. In this work we developed a cream rich in antioxidant, soothing, and moisturizing agents complying with concentration limits for sensitive skin. An initial optimization was carried out, and the best-performing formula was fully characterized to test its rheological properties under static or dynamic conditions and product safety. The formulation proved to be highly stable even under thermal stress, as shown by Turbiscan Lab analyses, which reported backscattering values ±2. Rheological tests also indicated a solid-like behavior with reduced viscosity at skin temperature of 32 °C, confirming the good spreadability of the cream. Finally, in vivo tests on healthy volunteers showed excellent safety results and good overall appreciation of the product. No changes in transepidermal water loss (7.9 ± 3.5 vs. 5.5 ± 0.4, p > 0.05), skin hydration (44.2 ± 18.6 vs. 50.5 ± 14.1, p > 0.05), or color were detected within 6 h from application, compared with baseline values. Moreover, volunteers highlighted the cream’s suitability for dry skin and expressed satisfaction with spreadability, a nourishing and hydrating sensation after application, and the absence of residues, consistently rating them ≥4 in the skin feeling questionnaire. These results are promising and support the potential use of the product on sensitive skin.

Background/Objectives: Ultradeformable liposomes represent an established platform for topical delivery of antioxidant compounds, thanks to their structural flexibility and ability to enhance skin permeation, but standardized manufacturing protocols are still lacking. This study presents a microfluidic-based strategy for the scalable production of ultradeformable liposomes encapsulating Stellaria media extract, a polyphenol-rich phytocomplex with strong antioxidant activity. Methods: Liposomes were produced with a GMP-like microfluidic platform enabling fine control of formulation parameters and high reproducibility under conditions directly transferable to continuous manufacturing. Process optimization tested different total flow rates. Characterization included particle size and distribution, encapsulation efficiency, colloidal stability and kinetics of release. Permeation was assessed with Franz diffusion cells using human stratum corneum and epidermidis membranes. Results: Optimal conditions were a flow rate ratio of 3:1 and a total flow rate of 7 mL/min, yielding ultradeformable liposomes with a mean size of 89 ± 1 nm, a polydispersity index < 0.25, and high encapsulation efficiency (72%). The resulting formulation showed long-term colloidal stability and controlled release. Diffusion studies demonstrated a 2-fold increase in permeation rate compared to the free extract. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of microfluidics as a robust and scalable technology for the industrial production of ultradeformable liposomes designed to enhance the dermal delivery of bioactive phytocomplex for both pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications.

The cosmetics industry has experienced rapid growth, driven by consumer demand for products in line with modern lifestyles and technological advances, with greater awareness of the impacts on health and the ecosystem. This review explores the potential use of antibacterial compounds derived from food waste as sustainable alternatives to synthetic preservatives in cosmetic products. Waste obtained from food, including fruit peels, seeds, and plant remnants, is rich in natural bioactives, including polyphenolic compounds and essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing features. The integration of these natural ingredients not only improves the shelf-life and safety of cosmetics but also promotes environmentally friendly practices. We discuss the sources and antimicrobial efficacy of these compounds, along with recent technological innovations. This sustainable approach responds to consumer preferences for natural ingredients, reduces food waste, and supports environmental sustainability, ultimately increasing the value and attractiveness of cosmetic products.

Investigating complex patterns in the plasma protein corona of different liposomal formulations to identify formulation-specific protein clusters which in turn may suggest possible targeting capability.

PEGylation is currently used for the synthesis of stealth liposomes and to enhance the pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical properties of payloads. PEGylated dendron phospholipids can decrease the detachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) from the liposomal surface owing to an increased hydrophobic anchoring effect on the phospholipid bilayer of liposomes and thus generating super stealth liposomes that are suitable for the systemic delivery of anticancer drugs. Herein, doxorubicin hydrochloride-loaded super stealth liposomes were studied for the treatment of breast cancer lung metastasis in an animal model. The results demonstrated that the super stealth liposomes had suitable physicochemical properties for in vivo administration and could significantly increase the efficacy of doxorubicin in breast cancer lung metastasis tumor-bearing mice compared to the free drug. The super stealth liposomes also increased doxorubicin accumulation inside the tumor tissue. The permanence of PEG on the surface of the super stealth liposomes favored the formation of a depot of therapeutic nanocarriers inside the tumor tissue by improving their permanence after stopping treatment. The doxorubicin-loaded super stealth liposomes increased the survival of the mouse tumor model. These promising results demonstrate that the doxorubicin-loaded super stealth liposomes could be an effective nanomedicine to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Cerebrovascular impairment represents one of the main causes of death worldwide with a mortality rate of 5.5 million per year. The disability of 50% of surviving patients has high social impacts and costs in long period treatment for national healthcare systems. For these reasons, the efficacious clinical treatment of patients, with brain ischemic stroke, remains a medical need. To this aim, a liposome nanomedicine, with monosialic ganglioside type 1 (GM1), OX26 (an anti-transferrin receptor antibody), and CDP-choline (a neurotrophic drug) (CDP-choline/OX26Lip) was prepared. CDP-choline/OX26Lip were prepared by a freeze and thaw method and then extruded through polycarbonate filters, to have narrow size distributed liposomes of ~80 nm. CDP-choline/OX26Lip were stable in human serum, they had suitable pharmacokinetic properties, and 30.0 ± 4.2% of the injected drug was still present in the blood stream 12 h after its systemic injection. The post-ischemic therapeutic effect of CDP-choline/OX26Lip is higher than CDP-choline/Lip, thus showing a significantly high survival rate of the re-perfused post-ischemic rats, i.e. 96% and 78% after 8 days. The treatment with CDP-choline/OX26Lip significantly decreased the peroxidation rate of ~5-times compared to CDP-choline/Lip; and the resulting conjugated dienes, that was 13.9 ± 1.1 mmol/mg proteins for CDP-choline/Lip and 3.1 ± 0.8 for CDP-choline/OX26Lip. OX26 increased the accumulation of GM1-liposomes in the brain tissues and thus the efficacious of CDP-choline. Therefore, this nanomedicine may represent a strategy for the reassessment of CDP-choline to treat post-ischemic events caused by brain stroke, and respond to a significant clinical need. Graphical abstract

Resource depletion and food waste accumulation represent a tremendous socio-economic and environmental problem. One promising strategy involves the use of byproducts derived from food waste as ingredients for cosmetic products. The aim of this work is to propose clementine peels and olive leaf extracts as value-added bioproducts for a cosmetic cream. Extracts were obtained by super critical extraction showing an antioxidant activity of ca. 25%. No cytotoxic effects of the extracts were recorded on keratinocyte cells up to a concentration of 4% v/v ratio within 24 h. The incorporation of clementine peels and olive leaf extracts into creams did not compromise their stability, as demonstrated by Turbiscan analyses at room and extreme (40 °C) storage conditions. The safety profiles of the final cosmetic formulations were further in vivo demonstrated on human volunteers. We analyzed the trans-epidermal water loss and variation of the skin’s erythematous index, which showed profiles that almost overlapped with the negative control. Moreover, rheological analysis of the resulting creams evidences their suitable spreadability with similar pseudoplastic profiles, although a slight reduction of viscosity was recorded by improving the extracts’ concentrations. The proposed approach highlights the advantage of combining byproduct resources and supercritical fluid extraction to obtain a safe and eco-friendly face cream.